Visine and Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy

03Jul

Visine is a useful medication. I use it all the time. When the Santa Ana’s blow in SoCal and the temperature rises, the humidity falls, and eyes dry out, Visine works very well. When used properly it is very safe and effective—-but, if used improperly, it can be a deadly poison.

Actually, anything can be deadly. The difference between a drug and a poison is simply a matter of dose. What can cure, can harm; what can harm, can kill. It’s really that simple.

The active, and dangerous, ingredient in Visine is tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride. If ingested in sufficient amounts, it can cause an elevation in blood pressure, a drop in heart rate, a reduction in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, blurred vision, seizures, coma, and death, to name a few effects.

Recently on Crime and Science Radio, Jan Burke and I interviewed Beatrice Yorker, the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Los Angeles and a renowned expert in Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy. Take a listen and check out some of the links for more info on the fascinating topic.

I used Visine in my first novel, Zoned for Murder. I’ve gotten a number of comments from people who basically say, “That can’t be right.” Ah, the multiple deaths lurking in our medicine cabinets. Always interested in Munchausen By Proxy. Looking forward to listening to Beatrice Yorker.

Years ago I ran a large counseling center for victims of incest and sexual assault and we had a self-referral of a Munchausen’s patient. Then several years later I was a newspaper editor and one of my reporters covered a Munchausen By Proxy murder of a child at a local hospital. The mom was caught on surveillance tape. Odd, odd disease.

Donna–I don’t answer story questions here on my blog as I require certain information before I do so. Visit my website at http://www.dplylemd.com where you will find instructions for submitting questions. Thanks.